Check Out Margaret Sullivan’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret Sullivan.

Hi Margaret, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my show radio show “Ms Margaret Live!” in March 2015, 1 month after the murder of Jamar Clark and 4 months before the murder of Philando Castile. I describe my show as “A Seat At The Table, For Those On The Menu”.

At the time, there weren’t that many platforms you see now making space for to discuss issues that were once considered taboo amongst the black community. We were on the menu, but we weren’t being invited to the table to speak on the issues. I wanted a space for the underdogs. In many ways throughout my life I have felt like the underdog.

Like many of us, no matter how accomplished, educated, nor celebrated you are, you can still feel like an outcast and that you are enough especially in a white mans world. Radio was a safe space where I could combine my love for music, advocacy, and public speaking but most importantly, to provide a platform for others who otherwise would not have been heard.

Its also important to note that I started my show at a time where I felt very lost in my life. After I returned to Minnesota and set my sights on Corporate America but I knew I wasn’t my purpose in my life. After having my son and a failed relationship, I felt like I didn’t even know who I was anymore.

One night in July of 2014, I remember feeling really low. I prayed to God to please get me back to what I love. The next day a friend of mine came over & told me about this new radio station in Frogtown (St Paul) and that she was going to have a radio show and that I definitely should have a show too. By that point in my life, I had dabbled in radio frequently. As a child I used to record mock radio shows for my friends & my in college years, I interned at 101.3 KDWB MN in their promotions department. So that summer when I went to a training/intake to become a program host (WFNU) they initially told me they didn’t have space …but I came anyway. After that, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road nor has it been easy to go along for the ride. I don’t think people realize how much work goes into producing a radio show, podcast, documentary, etc. Most people who are doing this work (independent/community media), are not being compensated or if they are it’s nowhere near what they deserve. Funding is not easy to come by and the grant process and be very discouraging so it’s been hard balancing what I consider my real career which is the work I do in media while still working a 9-5, being single mother, a full time activist and organizer, and then somehow taking care of myself.

I realize now there is no such thing as “balance” when it comes to the many different hats that I wear. Its about management and letting people help me instead of trying to do everything on my own. I also want to state that it’s important to SUPPORT independent media the same way you support and respect mainstream media . It’s hard when you don’t feel supported by your community yet you are called to do this work

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Well since you know how I started, I’ll pick up where I left off after the show premiered in March 2015 :

In March 2018 Ms Margaret Live! was picked up by KFAI Radio and in 2021 I joined “The Uptake “ as a featured journalist and podcast producer .

I have hosted several events & red carpets throughout the Twin Cities & you can catch me in features with the LA Times, WCCO, KSTP, KARE 11 (Breaking The News), Star Tribune, and Fan Force Media.

In addition to my media career I am a full time activist. I began my work as an organizer in 2018 working as a civic engagement specialist in North Minneapolis. I have worked alongside several organizations such as UpLift MN, served as the Vice President of the KFAI Board of Directors (2020-2021) and currently serve on the Board of The Directors for the organization Love First.

Last summer, my first documentary “When They Took My Baby Away” premiered at St Paul Neighborhood Network. It highlights a day in the life of a family impacted by police and can be found on YouTube. I am currently focusing my efforts and raising funds to complete the series while also preparing for the first “Black Women United” march that I am hosting here in Minnesota in commemoration of Breonna Taylor’s birthday and the hundreds of Black Women whose stories go untold.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking is key! Growing up my mom used to always say “It’s all about who you know” which used to discourage me because I used to think “well I don’t know anybody!” but now I see what she meant. It’s typically not a random person from your social media that will give you your greatest opportunity. It’s usually someone who you’ve worked with once, it went well, and now as they’re building and growing they’re taking you along with them

For people who find the idea of networking intimidating, I recommend going to events such as conferences, expos, where like minded people are coming together in a space to intentionally network. Early in my career many of the people I interviewed I met while I was hosting or doing press at an event. Then those relationships continued to blossom and so every time they have an event for ex, I’ll be asked to host so that’s a locked in opportunity for me for years to come to networking is vital to building in this business.

Contact Info:

• Email: ms.margaretlive@gmail.com
• Website: TheUptake.org/MsMargaretLive
• Instagram: Ms Margaret Live
• Facebook: Ms Margaret Live
• TikTok: Ms Margaret Live

Image Credits
Phil Ward (Image2)
George Jackson (Move For Justice)